In an interview granted to Le Figaro, the Sunday newspaper, and France Inter on Friday evening and revealed this Saturday, the head of state laid out his roadmap regarding the conflict in Ukraine. He said he wanted to see the invader defeated, but not the “crushing” of Russia.
Returning from the security conference in Munich on Friday evening, the head of state confided in journalists from Le Figaro, the Sunday Journal and France Inter. In doing so, he provoked the war in Ukraine.
Breaking up Russia will ‘never be France’s position’
Emmanuel Macron said he wanted Moscow to be “defeated” against Ukraine, while warning those who wanted “above all to crush Russia” which will “never” be “France’s position”.
“I want Russia to be defeated in Ukraine and I want Ukraine to be able to defend its position, but I am convinced that in the end it will not be decided militarily,” he said in detail. “What is needed today is for Ukraine to lead a military offensive that disrupts the Russian frontline to trigger a return to negotiations,” he later continued.
“I don’t think like some that Russia should be completely defeated and attacked on its soil. Above all, these observers want to destroy Russia. That has never been France’s position and never will be,” he added.
“Neither side can fully assert itself”
In any case, according to the head of state, “neither side can win completely”. “Neither Ukraine nor Russia, because the impact of mobilization is not as significant as expected and it has capacity limits itself,” said Emmanuel Macron.
He also said the reason for his thoughts on the political future of Russia. And he seems resigned to Vladimir Putin staying in the Kremlin:
“Do we sincerely believe that after these years of hardening and full conflict, a democratic solution will emerge from the Russian civil society present on the ground? I sincerely hope so, but I don’t really believe in it.”
“And all options other than Vladimir Putin within the current system seem worse to me,” said Emmanuel Macron.